Pinnixa galliheri Rathbun
Middle Miocene (Mohnian)
Aguajito Shale Member, Monterey Fm.
Carmel, California, USA

37mm fossil pea crab on 87mm slab with partials. Extremely high level of detail. Might be the most perfect example of this species we have ever found.

Pinnixa is a genus of pea crab that appeared during the Miocene and still lives today and is a delicacy in some cultures. Fossil specimens are found in various parts of the world…California, Mexico, the Carolinas, and Malaysia.

This may be the freshest-looking crab we’ve ever seen out of the Miocene, but we don’t recommend eating it.